The Brumbies will announce today that Christian Lealiifano, Matt To'omua, Henry Speight, Ruaidhri Murphy and Scott Sio have all signed two-year contract extensions.
That is good news for the Brumbies and it clears the air somewhat. According to the old G&G contract list the following had 2012 contracts which are still not extended, though some may have renewed already and I have forgotten:
Moore, Palmer, Yanuyanutawa, White, Smith, McCabe.
Hand and Hooper are leaving the Brumbies, plus Owen has already left. It is thought that Yanuyanutawa won't have his contract renewed.
There were 14 backs in the squad in 2012 which is one too many and a place has to be made for Mogg which would make it two too many. Since McCabe will be a priority retention and Speight is being re-signed, it means that Smith will have to be discarded; so there will still be 14 backs.
The Brumbies had 5 props on their 2012 roster. With Owen and Jerry Y leaving and Sio being added from the EPS that leaves them with 4, the right number. Two hookers are right but Moore should be given an extension to 2014 to stagger the contract renewal dates.
Hand should be replaced by a specialist lock. IMO this is Jake's highest priority. He should be a hard head, Thorn type - not a lock/6 and not Dylan Sigg from the EPS, who would be another hybrid at the Super level. Fardy can be given the 2012 5th prop contract spot; so another lock/6 is not needed. Carter should have his contract extended to 2014 to balance out the 2nd row contract renewal dates.
Hooper should be replaced by a specialist 7 though Jake may not think so. Whatever, there is one forward space open because of Hooper's departure - only one, if the things mentioned above happen - because the renewals for the backs dictate that there can be only 16 forwards again.
Equally important is the roster for the 2013 EPS, but that is another discussion.
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